Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford announced his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins for Florida governor by praising his conservative values in a statement this week.
“It is an honor to give Lt. Governor Jay Collins my full endorsement in his race for governor,” Vent Crawford said. “Jay Collins is a man of integrity, a warrior for our country, and a fighter for the conservative values that make Hardee County and the entire state of Florida great. I’m supporting Jay because I trust him to lead and carry on the safety and success Florida has seen over the past several years. As our current Lt. Governor, I know he is ready to go on day one.”
Crawford was elected sheriff of Hardee County in 2020. He also worked for the Florida Highway Patrol for nearly three decades.
Hardee County is in the "Heartland" region of Central Florida.
Lt. Gov. Collins thanked Crawford for his endorsement.
“It’s a privilege to have support from public servants like Sheriff Vent Crawford,” Collins said. "I am humbled by Sheriff Crawford’s endorsement and I do not take it for granted. Over the past several years, I have fought for strong conservative policies to keep our people safe and to equip law enforcement with the tools they need to get back home to their families. As governor, I will keep Florida free and safe.”
Crawford's endorsement follows several other Florida sheriffs backing Lt. Gov. Collins for governor. They include Santa Rose County Sheriff Bob Johnson, Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, and Interim Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
The Volusia County Deputies Association, FireWatch Magazine, and Dundee Mayor Joe Garrison are also backing Collins in the race.
Collins is in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
The primary is Aug. 18.
